Khotsofalo “Coach Keezy” Pheko – Assistant Field Hockey Coach, Newberry College
Khotsofalo Pheko, known to his athletes as Coach Keezy, enters his second season as a full-time Assistant Field Hockey Coach at Newberry College, bringing a rare combination of international playing experience, NCAA athletic success, and proven coaching impact.
In Fall 2024, Pheko joined the Newberry Wolves coaching staff, where his technical expertise, one-on-one player development, tactical scouting, and strategic input proved instrumental in a historic season. Under his and Head Coach Dave’s guidance, the Wolves achieved several programs first:
- National ranking of No. 7 (highest in school history)
- SAC Regular Season Co-Champions
- No. 1 seed entering the South Atlantic Conference tournament
Pheko’s impact on and off the field reflects his passion for both player development and program success. Entering 2025, he returns for his first full-time season, with a focus on helping the Wolves reach even greater milestones.
Alongside coaching, Pheko remains a competitive player himself. Most recently, he represented Atlanta at the U.S. National Club Championships during the summer of 2024. His personal commitment to the game, reflected in regularly attending USA Field Hockey Coaching summits, combined with his academic achievements—including a BSc in Medical Science (University of Pretoria), an MPA (Lincoln Memorial University), and an MSODL (Newberry College)—demonstrates his dedication to both excellence and growth as a leader.
In 2021, Pheko showcased his athletic versatility by joining Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) as a cross country and track & field athlete. He quickly established himself as a standout, earning USTFCCCA All-Region honors and setting the school record in the mile with a blistering 4:10.61 in 2022. Despite excelling in the NCAA as a runner, his passion for field hockey remained, and he returned to the sidelines that same year as a volunteer assistant coach during LMU’s inaugural season. He played a pivotal role in building the program’s foundation and helped guide the Railsplitters to their first-ever program victory against Sewanee in fall 2022.
Pheko began his field hockey career in 2012, competing at the national level through 2016, while also giving back to the sport by coaching middle school and high school clinic camps. In 2019, he represented the University of Pretoria as a player, balancing both academics and athletics at one of South Africa’s most competitive universities.
From there, Pheko advanced to the club level as one of the head coaches for the Colorado Bears Field Hockey Club, where he coached middle school and high school athletes while also assisting with indoor and outdoor travel teams throughout 2023–2024.
With a unique background bridging international hockey, NCAA athletics, and elite coaching, Coach Keezy continues to be a driving force in elevating Newberry College Field Hockey to new heights.
